Tori Zosui?Japanese Rice & Chicken Porridge

Makes 2 – 3 servings

2 cups chicken stock

12 — 13 square inches dashi kombu

1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 1/4 — 1 1/2 cups cooked Japanese rice

1/3 — 1/2 pound cooked chicken (skin and bones removed), shredded into thin strips about 1/4-inch wide and 1 1/2-inches long

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

2 – 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Put the chicken stock and kombu in a pot.  To draw out maximum flavor, let the kombu soak for 10 to 15 minutes before placing the pot over high heat.  Bring the stock to a boil over high heat.  When the stock begins to boil, remove the kombu and discard it.  Turn down the heat to low heat  and season the stock with the black pepper.  Keep the broth at a simmer.

2. Place the cooked rice in a strainer and rinse under cold water to separate the grains and remove any excess starch.  Drain the rice thoroughly before adding it to the chicken stock.  Add the rice to the stock and simmer it in the stock over low heat for 10 minutes, or until each grain of rice swells to at least twice its original size.

3. Add the chicken strips to the simmering rice soup and cook until it has heated through, about 1 minute.

4. Add the grated ginger to the pot and stir.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately in deep bowls and sprinkle with the sliced scallions.